HB2688: NURSE PRACTICE ACT MIDWIVES

Legislative Summary

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning definitions. In provisions concerning written collaborative agreements, provides that, in the case of home birth services provided by a certified nurse midwife, a written collaborative agreement may permit, but shall not prohibit, a certified nurse midwife to provide home birth services within the scope of the certified nurse midwife's training and experience. Provides that, if a collaborating physician does not provide home birth services, home birth services may be provided by a certified nurse midwife working under a written collaborative agreement with the collaborating physician if the services are provided in a federal primary care Health Professional Shortage Area with a Health Professional Shortage Area score greater than or equal to 12 or a maternity care desert. Provides that an advanced practice registered nurse certified as a nurse midwife may provide out-of-hospital birth services in a licensed birth center without a written collaborative agreement if the advanced practice registered nurse certified as a nurse midwife is granted clinical privileges for out-of-hospital birth services by the clinical director of the birth center. Provides that a physician shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of an advanced practice registered nurse solely on the basis of having signed a collaborative agreement, an order, a standing medical order, a standing delegation order, or another order or guideline authorizing an advanced practice registered nurse to perform certain acts, unless the physician has reason to believe that the advanced practice registered nurse lacked the competency to perform the act or acts or committed willful and wanton misconduct. Removes provisions concerning definitions; prescriptive authority; and full practice authority. Makes other changes.